Tag: Fitness

When I was in my 20, my dad described me to others as being busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest. It that was true then, it’s cold hard fact at 45. Therefore, I knew it was going to be hard to find time to workout. It turns out there’s plenty of time if you get to the gym at 5:30 AM.

In case you missed it yesterday, I am trying to lose 45 lbs while I’m 45. I reported to everyone yesterday that I was 220 lbs, which is high considering my height and build. However, I weighed this morning and realized that I am actually only 217! So, only 42 lbs to go.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been going to the gym at least 4 times a week, building up my time on the elliptical machine. I like the elliptical machine because it works out your arms, chest, glutes, and legs at the same time. Then, if you add an appropriate amount of resistance, you’re not just doing cardio, but building muscle as well.

My first step is to continue exercising on the elliptical for at least 45 minutes for 4 to 5 times a week, then begin adding additional weight training. This morning, I stopped at just past 48 minutes. 🙂

On Friday morning, I ran my first 5k, practically by accident. I spent 8 weeks training for it with the C25k (Couch to 5k) App. I finished it just in time for the New Orleans Crescent City Classic Run, but was not able to participate. Since the app had several practice sessions included after graduation, I decided to continue to train. It was raining outside, so I went to my local gym to run on the treadmill. As my run neared the 35 minute mark, I realized that if I ran for another 10 minutes, I would hit the 3.106 miles or 5k. So I did it.

Today, I walked out of my home, fully intending to continue the practice sessions. But when I clicked on the App, it took me back to the first session. I didn’t want to continue that session, so on the spur of the moment, I clicked on the 10k App ad, which I’ve been wondering about for a couple of weeks. So, I guess I’m now training for a 10k.

If you see me past out on the side of road, please honk and try to raise me back to consciousness.

I’ve been using the App – C25KFree (Couch to 5K Free) for the past six weeks. Today, I finished the day 3 workout of week 6, which includes 22 minutes of running without stopping. In case you’re trying to do the same thing, here are 7 easy steps for running 22 minutes without stopping. Enjoy.

Step #1 – Wake up in the morning, lay very still and listen intently for rain, snow, sleet, hail, a dense fog, mist, strong winds, mild winds, gentle breezes or anything uncontrollable that might keep you from having to get out of bed to exercise.

Step #2 – While still in bed, tell your wife that you are not in denial about not wanting to exercise.

Step #3 – Angrily roll out of bed, stumping the toes of your right foot on the hard wooden furniture that you insisted on buying fifteen years ago.

Step #4 – Have the following conversation with your wife:

You: Honey, do you think I should just not exercise today?

Wife: Why?

You: My toes really hurt.

Wife: What happened?

You: I stubbed them on your furniture.

Wife: My furniture? You mean the bed?

You: Yeah.

Wife: You’re somehow suggesting that you stubbing your toe…

You:(interrupting) Toes!

Wife: Ok. You’re suggesting that you stubbing your “toes” on the bed is my fault.

You: Yes. If you hadn’t suggested this brand then we wouldn’t have all this hard wood in the house.

Wife: Go exercise, you big baby.

You: What?

Wife: Go.

You: Ok.

Step #5 – Cry

Step #6 – Change your clothes and walk out the door.

Step #7 – Put your headphones in, play some music, warmup for 5 minutes, then run (or jog) for 22 minutes without stopping.

A minute before my running time was up today, my side starting hurting. I couldn’t believe that I might have to stop before my time was up. However, instead of stopping the run, I decided to slow down until my cool down. My side didn’t stop hurting, but it did ease up enough for me to finish the run.

This afternoon, I started week #5 of C25K (Couch to 5K). My workout for today began with a brisk 5-minute warmup walk followed by a 5-minute run, a 3-minute walk, another 5-minute run, a second 3-minute walk, a third 5-minute run, then a 5-minute cool-down walk. I’m proud to say that I finished it without stopping (or vomiting). However, my second day of week #5 takes me to a new level completely. It begins with a brisk 5-minute walk, followed by an 8 minute run, a 5 minute walk, another 8 minute run, then a 5 minute cool-down walk.

As a career Marine, my dad used to run between 4 and 9 miles each day, in order to keep fit. I once asked him why he chose to run. He answered that since he was required as a Marine to remain fit, he could either not eat or run daily. “I’m sort of fond of eating,” he answered, “So I guess I’ll keep running.”

I’m also rather fond of eating, but I’m not that fond of running. Even so, I’m in my second week of using the App Couch to 5 K. My current workout begins with a brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then moves into 20 minutes of alternating 90 seconds of running with two minutes of walking. This is a change in the amount of my running time from 60 seconds each time to 90 seconds each time. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but I have to admit that it’s kicking my lower posterior. I find myself looking at my phone to check the countdown when I’m running and it also shows that I have about 30 seconds left. I guess I’m doing better. I did the same thing last week when I only had to run for 60 seconds at a time and it said 30 seconds then as well.

Today, I did my workout run on the sidewalk of the Metairie Mardi Gras parade route after everyone else had gone home. The street was clean but the sidewalk was littered with broken beads, drink cups, soda and wine bottles, and beer cans. I think that I should get extra credit since I basically ran through an obstacle course. What do you think?